Rugh Design

Clarity in Color, Perfection in Paint.

The Best White Paint Colors: Undertones Explained

The Best Sherwin-Williams Whites

White

I love white. It represents purity, it’s clean, bright and fresh. If you pay attention to color design trends, white has been a top color choice for both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore as their “Color of the Year.” In 2016, Alabaster was the Sherwin-Williams COTY and Simply White was Benjamin Moore’s Top Color.

View the rest of the Whites from this post here!

White on walls as the main color creates the perfect backdrop for pops of color in accents in both furniture, fabrics and other accessories. White on trim and cabinets is my favorite way to contrast against wall color and add some freshness to a space.

White with black accents from Unsplash

Bright white kitchen with gray and black accents. Photo by Naomi Hébert on Unsplash.

So, if you have been following my Color Wheel feature color posts lately, you may have noticed that I have been highlighting several different white paint colors. In light of this, I thought it would be beneficial to have one cohesive post detailing my top tried and true white paint colors by Sherwin-Williams.

Whites can be tricky. It’s easy to look at a sample paint swatch with 7 different “whites” staring you in the face and then all of a sudden they all blur together and look exactly the same. “How do I even begin to find the right one for my space?” you may be asking.

Sherwin-Williams Paint Deck White & Pastel

Sherwin-Williams paint deck with the new and updated White & Pastel section.

Undertones Explained

If you have spent some time researching paint colors or read any of my feature color posts, you have most likely heard of “undertones” in paint colors. Well, it’s a real thing. It’s not just some technical term designers have come up with! Colors that have been mixed into varying shades for wall paint, have a certain main color or “undertone” that shows up most prominently when painted. The same is true with whites. For the sake of simplicity, I will start with my go-to “true” white and then outline the best cool whites, greige whites and warm whites.

True White

Let’s start with my go-to “true” white. This will be the base that I will work off of before I go to the left of the spectrum with “cool” whites and to the right of the spectrum with “warm” whites. Sherwin-Williams has one white that is their “true” white-white. Which basically means that it doesn’t have any warm or cool undertones. It’s just a bright white.

Extra White

Some will argue that Extra White has a tinge of a cool undertone. I will just say that I have Extra White on my trim, half-wall and cabinets and I don’t see any undertones. It comes out looking like a bright white. So, for the sake of sanity, I’m going to trust Sherwin-Williams and my experience with it and use Extra White as the base “true” white-white.

Extra White SW 7006

I specify Extra White for clients that want a bright white for a classic and fresh look. Like I mentioned, I have Extra White in my home. I also love Extra White for ceilings. Sherwin-Williams has a color called “Ceiling Bright White,” but it actually does have a slight cool undertone. I tend to go for Extra White to avoid any undertones.

Cool Whites

Okay, so we established our base “true” white with Extra White. Before we go into exploring the best cool white options, I want to share a quick trick for Sherwin-Williams whites. The Sherwin-Williams paint deck was recently revised to have one complete section of Whites/Pastels for easy access. Before the revision, the whites and off-whites (not all of them, but a lot of them) were at the top of the color paint swatches.

For instance, Eider White SW 7014 is one shade lighter than the popular Repose Gray SW 7015. So, before the paint deck revision, Eider White was above Repose Gray. Now, Eider White is in the “Whites/Pastels” section. So you have to search in the whites and pay attention to the paint number to know which colors are the lighter shades of the other colors in “Neutral” and “Color” sections of the paint deck.I share this trick for whites in case this helps you to coordinate with your current neutrals.

Sherwin-Williams Cool Whites

Sherwin-Williams Cool Whites

Snowbound

That being said, let’s outline my top Cool Whites. Snowbound is definitely one of my favorites that I have actually outlined recently in one of my Color Wheel Updates. If your palette is leaning towards cooler grays (or even greiges that have less warmth) and your other selections (tile, etc.) are brighter whites, consider going with Snowbound for trim and cabinets.

Snowbound SW 7004

I also love Snowbound as a wall color for a crisp canvas to add whimsy and color through pattern and texture. The inspiration picture below is a perfect example of Snowbound on the walls with pattern and color in the furniture, accents and accessories.

Eider White

As I mentioned previously, Eider White is one shade lighter than Repose Gray. Repose Gray can be a hard color to categorize as “cool” or “warm” definitively. I consider Repose Gray as one of those colors that can still look like a warm gray, but has a slight blue undertone that comes out looking cool the majority of the time, in my experience.

Eider White SW 7014

For that reason, I’m keeping Eider White in the Cool White category. Eider White is beautiful in spaces that need a subtle and soft neutral the leans a bit cooler, but doesn’t look too cold. I love it with black and white to add some contrast! The inspiration picture is a perfect example of how Eider White has a cool undertone, but it comes out looking still a bit warm and not “concrete” feeling. I like how the warmer tones in the floor also help to warm up the space and creates a perfect atmosphere for Eider White.

The Rest of the Cool Whites

Egret White, Crushed Ice and On the Rocks are a few other whites that can be used in spaces where a cooler undertone is desired. Egret White has a cool gray undertone while Crushed Ice and On the Rocks have more of a blue undertone. Spare White, Fleur de Sel and Frosty White are cooler off-whites that have a slight green-blue undertone.

I tend to stay away from specifying these for trim and cabinets because the undertones come out a lot stronger in these colors and I like to have trim and cabinets that don’t have saturated undertones coming through. They can be beautiful on walls, though!

Greige Whites

Okay, so for the sake of confusion and splitting hairs over cool and warm undertones, I created a “middle” category with whites that have a greige (not too cool, not too warm undertone). These are really some of the top whites that I specify because they coordinate with my top neutrals that I use all of the time.

Sherwin-Williams Greige Whites

Sherwin-Williams Greige Whites

Alabaster

Alabaster. Need I say more? Alabaster has a reputation as a top go-to white choice and it’s no wonder. It isn’t too cold, it isn’t too warm. I would venture to say that it starts to go more in the warm direction, but Alabaster can be used in cool and warm scheme alike.

Alabaster SW 7008

I also outlined Alabaster in a Color Wheel post with tons of inspirational pictures of both interiors (walls, trim/cabinets) and exteriors. The thing I love the most about Alabaster is that it is just “off-white enough” to not be super bright white, which makes it ideal for a softer white look. I believe that is what makes Alabaster so popular. It truly is perfect for those that wish to have a white that will still pop against their wall color, without being too glaringly white.

Greek Villa & Westhighland White

Greek Villa & Westhighland White are both whites that have a greige undertone and tend to get a bit warmer than Alabaster, but just a smidge. I still categorize it as a “greige” white that can be used in with both cool and warm selections. The bedroom pictured below has to be one of my favorite interiors. Greek Villa as the main wall color, looks flawless in this monochromatic scheme with creamy whites, greiges and a touch of yellow.

Greek Villa SW 7551
Westhighland White SW 7566

I have more experience using and detailed Greek Villa out in a Color Wheel post, but Westhighland White is also a great choice that is very comparable to Greek Villa. They both look great as wall colors or as trim colors and similar to Alabaster, I love that they are still fresh without being super bright white.

The Rest of the Greige Whites

Incredible White, Aesthetic White and Shoji White are the rest of my Greige Whites that can be used on walls for a soft and subtle feel, on ceilings or on trim/cabinets. These all have a bit more saturation than Alabaster, Greek Villa and Westhighland White. So, if you want to go with more of a bright and fresh white, then consider sticking to one of the 3 just mentioned.

However, I love these Greige Whites in basements, for ceilings or even in areas that need just a hint of color.

Here is a quick reference for their color matches that are one shade up on the paint swatch:

Incredible White SW 7028 → Agreeable Gray SW 7029

Aesthetic White SW 7035 → Accessible Beige SW 7036

Shoji White SW 7042 → Worldly Gray SW 7043

Warm Whites

This brings us to what I consider the “real” warm whites that have more of a cream, beige or yellow undertone to them. I tend to specify these creamy whites in spaces that have warmer selections. These warm whites work best on cabinets and trim in homes that have creamier countertops and tile floors/backsplashes. Going too bright white can make the selections look off and “dirty.”

Sherwin-Williams Warm Whites

Sherwin-Williams Warm Whites

Creamy

I love this color! Creamy has become my go-to for a warmer creamier white that doesn’t have a yellow undertone. If your palette is going warmer with selections like beige travertine floors/backsplash or taupe/brown granite, then consider going with Creamy.

Creamy SW 7012

Creamy is a tad warmer than Alabaster and will help the warmer selections from looking too dull. In the kitchen pictured below, the floors are a honey oak color. By using Creamy on the walls and cabinets, it adds warmth to this creamy palette, yet it it is still fresh and clean.

Antique White

Antique White is a soft and warm off-white that has a yellow-beige undertone, which is the reason that I typically specify it when clients have more beige and golden tones in their home. In one of my most recent Color Wheel posts, I talk about how Antique White is the perfect base color to use on cabinets with an umber glaze to create an “antiqued” look and feel.

Antique White SW 6119

Antique White similar to Creamy, but has even more warmth to it (hence my mention of the yellow-beige undertone). I specified it for my in-laws trim, ceiling and cabinet color to compliment the warmer palette and to coordinate with the creamy-beige backsplash and tile floors.

The Rest of the Warm Whites

Panda White, Moderate White and Divine White are the remainder of my top Warm Whites. These 3 colors can be used on walls in spaces that don’t have as much natural light or for trim and cabinets in which a warmer white works best. I recently specified Panda White for a basement design project for that exact reason!

Just like the Greige Whites, here is a quick reference for the color matches that are one shade up on the paint swatch:

Panda White SW 6147 → Wool Skein SW 6148

Moderate White SW 6140 → Softer Tan SW 6141

Divine White SW 6105 → Kilim Beige SW 6106

Wrapping it All Up

My hope in writing this post is to help clear up any confusion over whites and to empower you to find one that works in your home. Also, I wanted to share my tried and true and best whites. To sum it all up and as a general rule of thumb, if your selections are tending cool, lean towards the Cool Whites. If your main color palette is more greige, go towards the Greige Whites. If your fixed elements are warmer and more golden, grab some Warm Whites.

This is not a hard and fast rule, because honestly, there are always exceptions in design. However, it is a good starting place. If you are still struggling with whites and need more help, let me know! I’m always happy to lend a hand through a Color Consultation or an eDesign.

Follow me on social media for more color ideas and inspiration!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter

– Laura

Comments

  1. Hi Luly,

    I am a huge fan of using Extra White on cabinets and it would go perfectly with Incredible White. Keep me posted on your progress and let me know how everything turns out!

    Thanks so much,
    Laura

    Reply

  2. Great post, Laura. I think High Reflective White is also a ‘true white.’ And would you categorize Marshmallow as a greige white? What about Pearly White and Toque White, are the lighter versions of Alabaster and Marshmallow?

    Reply

  4. I just painted my living room Shoji White as well as my fireplace brick. The walls look great, but the brick looks much whiter. Is there a shade up from Shoji White that I could paint my fireplace , so it will not look so stark?

    Reply

  5. Hi Laura,
    You have so much great info on wall paint colors but I am still unsure what trim color to use. I am using SW antique white and kilim beige on the walls in a new build. What trim color would work best with those wall colors? I do like warmer tones but I’m worried warm tones for trim might look dingy and dirty.
    Thank You

    Reply

    • Hi Lori,

      I totally understand! Check out a few of the warmer whites in the post. Alabaster is one that won’t get too dingy or yellow, but is not as stark and bright as Extra White. Let me know if you still need help finding the right color through a Color Consultation!

      Thanks for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

  6. You didn’t mention Sherwin Williams ‘Pure White”. I would love to hear your opinion on it. I’m about to use it for custom kitchen cabinets. I almost went with Extra White, but I was afraid it would look too stark.

    Reply

    • Hi Faye,

      Yes, Pure White is a tiny bit warmer than Extra White. Really, it is very close to Alabaster, but lighter. Extra White is pretty stark, so you were wise with going with Pure White if you wanted something softer. Let me know how it turns out! Would love to see the finished results. 🙂

      Thanks for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

    • Hi Sue,

      You are so welcome! That makes me happy to know that it was a help you you. 🙂 Send me some pictures when your project is complete!

      Thanks so much,
      Laura

      Reply

  8. This is incredibly helpful! I’m curious where High Reflective White fits into the groups you described. thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Marie,

      Thanks so much! I consider High Reflective White a super bright white. So super bright white, in fact, that is can have a slight blue undertone. I know many people that like HRW on their ceilings. I prefer Extra White as my bright white go-to without any strange undertones. I hope that helps!

      Thanks for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

  9. Hi Julia- I am in similar situation and considering aesthetic white for walls… what did you decide as your final and any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Stacy,

      Aesthetic White would actually be a great choice! Test out a sample first and see how it looks with all of your selections. Let me know if you need further help deciding on a color!

      Thanks so much for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

  10. Hi Julia,

    It sounds like a warm and light “greige” would work well with your scheme. The griege will compliment the warmer creamy/beige tones, while still tying into the grays that you would like to incorporate. If you need further help, I would love for you to be able to send me pictures via an a Color Consultation!

    Thanks for reaching out,
    Laura

    Reply

  11. Hi Alison,

    Great question! I typically like to match the white or off-white trim/cabinet color to the ceilings if possible. That being said, if you have a space that doesn’t get as much natural light or has a lower ceiling height, I like Extra White for a bright white to really open up the space!

    Thanks so much for reaching out,
    Laura

    Reply

  12. Hi Amy,

    Thank you so much! Yes, you can actually have a white on the walls with a creamier trim. There are also several soft off-white beige colors that can work with Antique White. Keep me posted on everything and let me know if you need help to find the right color through a Color Consultation!

    Thanks so much,
    Laura

    Reply

  13. We’re considering using Fresco Cream or Beach House (SW) on our walls. We have popcorn ceilings that we can’t afford to remove, so what white would work best on the trim and ceiling (to hopefully draw attention away from the ceiling)? We have very warm natural white oak floors (kind of honey colored – warm, but not too yellow) and we have maple praline cabinets with gray quartz countertops. Any advice you can lend is greatly appreciated!

    Reply

  14. Thank you so much for writing this; it’s very informative and helpful.
    We are in the midst of an exterior repaint and 50% of the way through I realized we made a big mistake by going too dark, so now looking for a white and this post of yours helps me understand our options much better. Thanks again.

    Reply

    • Hi J.D.,

      I’m so glad that the post was helpful and that you are now feeling equipped to find the right color for your exterior. Keep me posted on the progress!

      Thank you, Laura

      Reply

  15. Thank you for your thoughtful and creative posts. I read you mentioned “alabaster” may be too bright for an exterior and although I like the color a lot – I think you’re right. What other whites or off whites would you recommend for a south facing home? I’m wanting to go outside and not be blinded by the light. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Heather,

      Thank you!! I enjoyed writing this post so much and I’m happy to know that it has been helpful. Yes, Alabaster gets pretty light on exteriors. I would look for an off white like Canvas Tan. Depending on whether you want to go cooler or warmer, Accessible Beige or Agreeable Gray get lighter on exteriors, but still have some color to them. Accessible Beige is warmer while Agreeable Gray is more gray/cooler. Start with Canvas Tan and see how it looks first. Let me know if I can help you find the right exterior color through and Exterior Color Consultation. It also helps to see your other fixed elements on your exterior to make the best color choice.

      I look forward to hearing from you, Laura

      Reply

    • Hi Angela

      Thanks for the response!

      Unfortunately the builder has limited paint choices. The greys available are SW repose grey, SW agreeable grey and SW anew grey. Since my cabinets are SW shell white I’m still in a dilemma!

      Do I go for all shell white for my walls, ceiling, trim or do I go for a lighter greige color like SW agreeable grey for the walls? Would SW shell white in the interior of my home make it look too yellow?

      Would greatly appreciate any insight!

      Thanks

      Reply

      • *Comment moderated by John

        Shell white definitely has creamy yellow undertones. SWAgreeabe Gray is a gray with beige undertones. Accessible beige is a beige with a gray undertone. I feel your anxiety in making a decision, but at the end of the day…it’s just paint !!!

        Reply

  17. Hi, if i’m going to use Snowbound on the walls (previously pine) would Extra White or Pure White be a better option for trim and ceiling. There is a lot of natural light and I’m trying to avoid the blue-white look?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Hi Meghan,

      Great question! Snowbound is a beautiful white for walls. As far as the trim and ceilings go, Extra White is my go-to for a bright white. I have Extra White in my own home and it is a true white with no weird undertones. Pure white is a good white, but is not quite as bright and true as Extra White.

      So, to answer your question, I would go with Extra White ceilings and trim paired with Snowbound on the walls for the best look! The fun part of having white walls and trim is that the accent color options are endless! Have fun with colors and keep me posted on your finished results.

      Thanks so much for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

  18. We painted our kitchen (western facing) Alabaster, and it is very yellow. We love the color on the swatch, but don’t think it will work in this space. Any recommendations that wouldn’t give off a yellow hue? I have read this post a million times and I appreciate your effort and any advice. It was disappointing that Alabaster, the color everyone raves about, didn’t work for us. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Matt,

      I’m so sorry that you have been disappointed with Alabaster. West-facing rooms do get an afternoon warm glow from the sun that can cast a yellow light on wall colors. Snowbound would be a good white to consider. It has a cooler undertone than Alabaster and might do just the trick in your kitchen.

      Test out a peel and stick paint sample first to see how it looks in your space. Let me know how it goes and if you need further help, I can offer my assistance through a Color Consultation.

      Thanks so much for reaching out,
      Laura

      Reply

  19. I’m updating walls in an efficiency unit. Cabinets and loft bed are dark walnut, granite is light brown, floor tiles are marbled beige and grey, trim is bright white, we’re going to put in backsplash tile which matches very closely to Toque White or Heron Plume. Light is from north, south and east in that order. We’re in Florida, so want to keep things feeling cool. Trying to decide between Eider White, Incredible White, Toque White or Heron Plume. I like the Eider White because it has a hint of purple that tones it down. I don’t think I want to go into darker colors with more contrast. May use same color in main house which has white cabinets and grey and amethyst granite countertops, same floor and trim. Tough choice!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.